Along  the  Grand  Canal 

The  Mid-China  Mission  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States 


Rev.  Henry  F.  Williams 


Published  by  the 

Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication 

Richmond.  Virginia 
Texarkana.  Ark-Tex. 


i 


c 


'J  iiK  Mid-China  Mission,  Hangchow,  March,  1909. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 

The  Mid-China  Mission  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States. 


Rev.  henry  F.  WILLIAMS. 


Published  bv  the 

PRESBYTERIAN  COMMITTEE  OF  PUBLICATION. 
Richmond.  Va.  Te.xarkana,  .^kh.-Tex. 


Printed  by 

Whittet  & Shetferson, 
Richmond.  Va. 


FOREWORD 


sketches  of  the  Missions  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  United  States,  given  in 
this  and  other  booklets  to  follow,  are 
not  intended  to  be  complete  historical 
records  of  the  work,  and,  therefore,  do 
not  contain  full  data  regarding  the  sta- 
tions and  missionaries.  It  is  intended 
to  follow  this  series  with  a book,  “In 
Four  Continents,”  which  will  be  a condensed  historical 
sketch  of  the  Foreign  Mission  work  of  the  Church. 

Grateful  acknowledgment  is  made  to  all  missionaries 
who  have,  in  letters  and  reports  from  the  field,  supplied 
the  information  of  which  free  use  has  been  made  in  these 
pages. 

The  illustrations  are  largely  from  photographs  taken 
during  the  recent  visit  of  the  editor  to  our  mission  fields 
in  the  Far  East. 

If  this  brief  story  concerning  one  section  of  our  share 
of  the  “uttermost  part  of  the  earth”  should  convey  to  the 
Church  a better  knowledge  of  our  assigned  field,  con- 
tribute to  a higher  appreciation  of  the  men  and  women 
who  are  bearers  of  the  message  to  the  people  that  “sit  in 
darkness,”  increase  the  adequacies  of  equipment,  provide 
for  the  inspiring  possibilities  of  enlargement  and,  best 
of  all,  encourage  the  consecration  of  life  to  the  work 
of  speedy  world  evangelization,  the  prayerful  object  of 
its  preparation  will  be  realized.  H.  F.  W. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/alonggrandcanalOOwill 


ALONG  THE  GRAND 
CANAL. 


THE  BEGINNING 

At  the  meeting  of  the  first  General  Assembly  of  the 
Preslyvterian  Church,  United  States,  at  Augusta.  Ga.,  in 
i86i,  the  following  foreign  missionary  declaration  was 
made : “The  General  Assembly  desires  distinctly  and 
deliberately  to  inscribe  on  our  Church’s  banner,  as  she 
now  unfurls  it  to  the  world,  in  immediate  connection 
with  the  Headship  of  her  Lord,  his  last  command,  ‘Go 
ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,'  regarding  this  as  the  great  end  of  her  organi- 
zation." At  the  first  General  Assembly  held  after  the 
close  of  the  Civil  War,  the  Assembly  again  declared  that 
the  carrying  out  of  the  great  command  of  our  Lord  was 
regarded  "as  the  great  end  of  her  organization,  and 
obedience  to  it  as  the  indispensable  condition  of  her 
Lord's  promised  presence;  and  as  that  one  great  compre- 
hensive object,  a proper  conception  of  whose  vast  magni- 
tude and  grandeur  is  the  only  thing,  which,  in  connection 
with  the  love  of  Christ,  can  ever  sufficientlv  arouse  her 
energies  and  develop  her  resources,  so  as  to  cause  her  to 
carrv  on  with  that  vigor  and  efficiency,  which  true  fealty 
to  her  Lord  demands,  those  other  agencies  necessary  to 
her  internal  growth  and  home  prosperity.”  The  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Foreign  ^Missions,  at  the  time  the  latter 
declaration  was  made,  was  considering  the  opening  of  a 
mission  in  China. 


8 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


The  following  is  quoted  from  an  account  of  the  be- 
ginning of  our  foreign  work:  "At  the  Southern  terminus 
of  the  Grand  Canal  of  China,  there  lies  a city  beautiful 
for  situation.  It  is  the  capital  of  the  populous  province 
of  Chekiang,  and  l)ears  a name  well  known  to  many  of 
the  churches  in  our  own  land — Hangchow.  On  one  side 
of  it  flows  the  broad  and  bright  Tsien-tang  River,  famous 
for  the  tidal  wave,  the  “bore”  which,  with  foaming  crest, 
and  roaring  sound,  rushes  up  from  the  Hangchow  Bay. 
On  the  other  side  is  the  picturesque  West  Lake,  its  islets 
crowned  with  tea  houses  and 
pavillions,  and  its  clear  waters  re- 
flecting like  a mirror,  the  rocky 
hills  and  gentle  eminence  on  which 
stand  the  Needle  Pagoda  and  the 
tower  of  the  Thunder  Peak.  The 
citv  has  a wall  of  wide  circuit, 
faced  with  hewn  stone,  and  broad 
enough  for  three  carriages  travel- 
ing abreast.  The  streets  are  nar- 
row and  not  ver}^  clean.  The 
houses  are  generally  of  two  stories, 
with  walls  stuccoed  white,  and 
roofed  with  tiles.  Besides  the  provincial  buildings,  the 
city  contained  the  great  examination  hall,  in  which,  at  the 
triennial  examinations,  over  ten  thousand  students  com- 
peted for  the  second  literary  degree.  Before  the  Taip- 
ing  War,  the  population  of  Hangchow  was  estimated  at 
one  million.  It  was  taken  by  the  Taipings  twice,  with 
great  carnage,  and  has  since  been  graduallv  making  up 
its  loss.  It  has  now  inside  and  outside  of  the  city  walls, 
a population  of  perhaps  eight  hundred  thousand.  In  this 
city  was  planted  the  first  foreign  mission  station  of  the 
Pre.sbyterian  Church,  Ignited  States. 


K E\'.  E H.  I NS  LEE. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


9 


The  pioneer  of  our  distinctly  foreign  missionary 
work  was  the  Rev.  E.  B.  Inslee.  Prior  to  the  Civil  War, 
Mr.  Inslee,  a member  of  the  Mississippi  Presbytery,  had 
done  good  service  as  a missionary  in  China  for  ten  years, 
located  at  Ningpo.  During  the  time  of  the  war  he  sup- 
ported himself  on  the  field.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he 
returned  home  and  in  t866  earnestly  solicited  our  South- 


Hall  of  Literature — Grand  Canal. 


ern  Presbyterian  Church  to  send  him  to  China  to  lay  the 
foundation  of  a new  mission.  Those  who  knew  Mr. 
Inslee  personally,  speak  of  him  as  a man  who  loved  the 
cause  of  his  Master  and  pitied  the  people  of  China.  He 
was  humble  and  kindly  in  service  and  the  people  were  at- 
tracted to  him  as  a friend.  So  earnest  was  his  desire  to 
return  to  China  that  he  felt  that  he  had  heard  the  sum- 
mons of  God  to  begin  a work  in  that  field.  The  call  was 
not  unheeded  and  Mr.  Inslee  and  his  family  were  sent 
out  in  June,  1867.  Thus  began  our  first  foreign  mis- 


10 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


sionary  work  outside  of  America,  and  Hangchow  was 
the  first  mission  station  of  onr  work  in  the  Chinese  Em- 
pire. Mr.  Inslee’s  decision  to  locate  at  Hangchow  was  a 
wise  one.  No  better  point  of  entrance  could  have  been 
selected.  Until  his  arrival,  no  missionary  had  ever  regu- 
larly preached  within  the  walls  of  the  city. 

Following  the  going  out  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Inslee,  a 
second  band  of  missionaries  was  sent  out  to  assist  our 
pioneer  missionary.  Rev.  J.  L.  Stuart,  Rev.  M.  H.  Hous- 
ton, and  Rev.  Ben  Helm  were  sent  to  the  field  in  March, 
1868.  From  this  comparatively  obscure  beginning  forty- 
three  years  ago,  the  chain  of  stations  has  lengthened  out 
until  they  include  a field  about  five  hundred  miles  in 
length,  and  fifty  to  seventy-five  miles  in  width,  on  or 
near  the  Grand  Canal,  extending  from  Hangchow  in  the 
south,  to  Hsuchoufu  in  the  north.  The  enlarged  work 
made  it  advisable  to  divide  the  field,  and  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  mission  in  1899  a division  was  made  into 
the  Mid-China  Mission,  including  all  the  missions  south 
of  the  Yangtze  Kiang,  except  Chinkiang,  and  North 
Kiangsu  including  all  the  stations  north  of  the  river. 


The  Mid-China  Mission 

The  Mid-China  Mission  is  located  in  parts  of  two 
provinces,  Chekiang  and  North  Kiangsu.  The  province 
of  Chekiang  is  the  smallest  of  the  eighteen  provinces  of 
China  proper.  The  province  has  great  historic  and  an- 
tiquarian interest.  In  this  province  some  of  the  princi- 
pal events  of  all  Chinese  history  have  occurred.  It  is 
extremely  difficult  to  correctly  estimate  the  population, 
but  according  to  the  latest  statistics  in  the  Statesmen’s 
Year  Book,  the  population  is  given  as  11,580,692.  The 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


II 


old  estimates  of  both  the  Chinese  and  English  gave  a 
population  of  26,000,000.  Our  central  stations  in  this 
province  are  Hangchow,  Kashing  and  Tunghiang. 

The  other  principal  cities  occupied  by  our  Mid-China 
Mission  are  Soochow,  Kiangyin  and  Nanking,  located  in 
the  part  of  Kiangsu  Province  south  of  the  Yangtze  River. 
The  population  of  this  province  is  estimated  at  14,000,000. 
The  land  is  chiefly  level  and  exceedingly  fertile.  The 
two  mighty  waterways  of  China,  the  Yellow  and  the 
Yangtze  Rivers,  flow  through  this  province.  The  Yellow 
River  has  always  been  an  erratic  stream.  The  Yangtze, 
flowing  from  the  west  through  the  southern  part  of  the 
province,  is  among  the  great  rivers  of  the  world  on  which 
floats  an  enormous  commerce.  It  has  been  said  of 
Kiangsu  Province  that  no  country  in  the  world  is  so  well 
watered,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  anywhere  a 
territory  as  rich  and  fertile  and  as  densely  populated. 

Mid-China  Stations 

The  stations  of  our  Mid-China  Mission,  also  those  of 
the  North  Kiangsu  Mission,  are  situated  along  and  near 
the  Grand  Canal.  This  artificial  stream  reflects  greater 
credit  on  the  men  who  devised  and  constructed  it  than 
even  the  building  of  the  great  wall  of  China.  The  im- 
portance of  the  canal  to  the  whole  Empire  is  an  indica- 
tion of  its  importance  in  the  establishment  and  develop- 
ment of  our  mission  stations  in  China.  The  Grand  Canal, 
and  the  almost  innumerable  small  branch  canals,  making 
a net  work  covering  the  entire  territory,  have  been  uti- 
lized by  missionaries  from  the  earliest  days  in  the  evange- 
lization of  China.  Along  the  waterways  the  message  has 
spread  to  cities,  towns,  villages  and  country  districts. 


12 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


The  stations  of  onr  Mid-China  Mission  are  eight  in 
ninnl)er — viz.,  Hangeliow,  South  Sooehow,  North  Soo- 
ehovv,  Kiangyin,  Kashing,  Tunghiang,  Shanghai  and 
Nanking.  In  the  brief  examination  of  the  work  at  each 
of  these  stations  we  will  begin  at  Hangchow. 

A full  account  of  the  work  of  our  church  at  Hang- 
chow would  include  much  of  the  early  history  of  the 


Ancient  Bridge  on  CiRAND  Canal. 


h'oreign  Mission  work  of  our  Church.  The  men  who 
have  been  identified  with  the  field  in  and  around  thi^ 
station  are  among  the  veteran  missionaries.  The  mis- 
sionaries who  went  out  in  the  early  days  endured  hard 
service.  The  physical  hardships  of  the  outward  journey 
and  the  trials  of  the  work  on  the  field  far  exceeded  those 
of  the  ])rcsent  time.  In  the  beginning  days  the  trip  to 
Hangchow  was  made  by  slow  canal  boats,  under  sail  or 
towed  by  men.  In  later  years  these  were  superseded  by 
tbe  boats  towed  by  .steam  launches,  shortening  the 
journey  from  Shanghai  that  sometimes  occupied  weeks, 
to  a little  over  a day.  During  the  past  year  (1909)  the 
railroad  from  Shanghai  to  Hangchow  was  opened. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


13 


The  reports  of  the  Hangchow  work,  in  the  beginning- 
days,  give  an  insight  into  the  trials  and  sorrows  of  our 
pioneer  missionaries.  Soon  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Inslee,  the  health  of  Mr.  Inslee  began  to  decline. 
Repeated  changes  of  climate  in  China  failed  to  bring 
relief  and  he  returned  to  the  United  States,  with  his 
family,  in  the  fall  of  1870,  and  in  the  following  spring 
(1871)  he  died  in  New  Orleans.  In  the  service  of  his 
Master  Mr.  Inslee  had  freely  spent  all  of  his  patrimony, 
and  in  his  last  moments  he  commended  his  family,  a wife 
and  seven  children,  to  “God  and  the  Church."  His  trust 
was  not  in  vain,  and  nearly  $7,000  was  raised  for  the 
support  of  his  familv.  Another  affliction  soon  fell  on 
the  mission.  The  health  of  Mrs.  Converse  entirely  failed, 
and  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Converse  returned  to  this  country  only 
one  month  after  Mr.  Inslee.  The  care  of  both  the  board- 
ing schools  at  Hangchow,  as  well  as  the  public  services 
at  the  station  came  on  Mr,  Houston.  It  was  evident  that  it 
would  be  unwise  for  the  three  men  left  in  the  field  to 
continue  to  hold  the  stations  at  Hangchow  and  Guchow. 
It  was  determined,  therefore,  to  turn  over  the  station  at 
Guchow  to  the  China  Inland  Mission,  and  concentrate 
the  three  missionaries  at  Hangchow.  The  work  done  at 
Guchow  was  not  lost.  It  was  taken  up  immediately  by 
the  China  Inland  Mission  and  there  is  still  a good  work 
being  carried  on  at  the  house  where  our  own  missionaries 
first  ])reached. 

These  earlv  reports  also  tell  of  brightening  prospects. 
When  the  summer  of  1872  opened,  the  mission  was  rein- 
forced by  the  arrival  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  H.  C.  DuBose 
and  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Randolph.  Mrs.  Randolph  at  once 
took  charge  of  the  girls’  boarding  school  at  Hangchow, 
and  the  prosperity  which  the  school  enjoyed  under  her 


14 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


devoted  managenient  is  well-known  throughout  our 
Church.  After  fifteen  and  a half  years’  service  failing 
health  compelled  her  to  give  up  work  in  China,  but  the 
sister  mission  in  Japan  gained  a devoted  and  experienced 
missionary  who  continued  her  faithful  missionary  ser- 
vice in  that  field.  In  the  fall  of  1892  she  reluctantly- 
retired  from  the  foreign  field  and  returned  to  the  home- 
land. The  mission,  strengthened  and  cheered  by  these 
various  accessions,  determined  to  open  a new  station. 
The  city  selected  for  this  purpose  was  Soochow,  on  the 
Grand  Canal,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  to  the 
northwest  of  Hangchow.  Hangchow  is  the  capital  of  the 
Chekiang  Province ; Soochow  is  the  capital  of  the  teeming 
Province  of  Kiangsu.  Both  cities  are  famous  among  the 
Chinese.  The  native  proverb  sums  up  their  delights  in 
the  lines — 


‘‘Above  is  tlie  palace  of  Heaven, 
Below  are  Soochow  and  Hangchow.” 


Hangchow 

At  the  opening  of  our  work  at  Hangchow  the  station 
was  located  near  the  Temple  Hill.  Objections  were  made, 
for  superstitious  reasons,  to  the  location,  and  it  was 
changed  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  city.  At  the  mission 
compound  there  are  homes  for  two  missionary  families, 
the  home  for  the  women  missionaries,  and  buildings  for 
the  girls’  school.  The  chapel  is  a comfortable  meeting- 
place  for  the  native  Christians  and  is  in  charge  of  a native 
pastor  of  marked  ability.  The  work  is  under  the  general 
supervision  of  the  missionaries  at  the  station,  but  the 
church  is  regularlv  organized  and  is  an  influential  body 
of  Christians.  At  another  point  in  the  city  there  is  a 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


15 


chapel  at  which  regular  and  successful  evangelistic  work 
is  carried  on.  At  still  another  point  there  is  a chapel  at 
which  evangelistic  and  Bible  work,  a day  school  and 
clinics  in  charge  of  Miss  E.  B.  French,  are  maintained. 

In  the  district  surrounding  Hangchow  our  mission- 
aries, with  representatives  of  other  denominations,  occupy 
an  extensive  country  field.  The  women  missionaries  con- 


Small  Town  and  Canal. 


nected  with  the  station,  using  their  house  boats  and  ac- 
companied by  their  Bible  women,  visit  large  numbers  of 
villages  and  families. 

For  many  years  Rev.  and  Mrs.  J.  L.  Striart  have  had 
charge  of  a very  remarkable  work  in  the  Tehtsing  district 
some  30  miles  from  Hangchow.  Groups  of  believers  have 
been  gathered  at  a number  of  points  and  when  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stuart  go  out  in  their  house  boat  to  spend  several 
weeks  in  visitation  and  preaching  the  gospel,  they  are 
welcomed  by  these  Christians  and  their  friends.  The 
1909  report  of  the  Mid-China  Mission  says : Blessed  with 


i6 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


almost  perfect  health,  having  lost  hut  one  day  from  ac- 
tive work.  Dr.  Stuart  and  Mrs.  Stuart  spent  a large  part 
of  their  time  in  country  work.  In  one  visit  to  the  Tehtsing 
District,  they  spent  thirty-four  days,  visiting  sixty-four 
places  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  families  of  Chris- 
tians and  enquirers.  In  the  case  of  our  beloved  Dr.  and 
i\Irs.  Stuart  the  promise  is  literallv  fulfilled.  “They  shall 
renew  their  strength  * * * they  shall  run  and  not  be 
weary : they  shall  walk  and  not  faint.” 

Our  principal  school  work  at  Hangchow  is  the  Girls’ 
School,  established  in  the  early  days  of  the  mission.  A 
Boys’  School  was  also  begun,  hut,  unfortunately,  for  lack 
of  funds  and  other  reasons  it  was  discontinued.  The 
Hangchow  Girls’  School,  during  its  history  of  nearly 
forty-three  years,  has  been  the  pride  of  the  mission.  It 
was  established  by  Mr.  Inslee  a few  months  after  his 
arrival  in  1867,  long  before  the  awakening  for  female 
education.  It  is  not  onl)'  well  known  in  our  church  as 
our  first  school  for  girls  on  the  foreign  field,  but  is  re- 
cognized as  one  of  the  few  first  and  imi)ortant  schools 
established  for  girls  in  the  Chinese  Empire.  The  girls 
going  out  from  this  school  are  found  in  almost  every 
part  of  China.  They  are  the  wives  of  evangelists  anci 
preachers,  teachers  in  mission  schools,  Bible  women,  and 
wives  and  mothers  in  Christian  homes. 

A jdan  of  co-operation  has  been  arranged  whereby 
there  is  to  he  a union  college  for  Chinese  boys,  to  be  sup- 
])orted  ami  conducted  jointly  by  the  Presbyterian  Church 
United  States,  and  the  Presbyterian  Church,  U.  S.  A. 
The  buildings  in  process  of  erection  are  beautifully  lo- 
cated on  a hill  overlooking  the  river.  This  institution 
provides  for  the  higher  education  of  the  boys  and  men 
that  come  from  the  academies  at  the  stations.  The  same 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


17 


general  plan  of  co-operation  has  been  applied  to  the 
girls’  school.  The  marvel  is  that  during  the  past  years 
so  much  has  been  done  with  so  little  in  the  way  of  equip- 
ment. The  buildings  are  not  only  inadequate  but  old  and 
unsanitary  and  very  poorly  adapted  to  the  work.  Under 
the  new  arrangement  the  buildings  will  be  first-class  and 
an  enlarged  sphere  of  usefulness  will  be  open  to  the 
school. 

The  educational  policy  by  which  the  Presbyterian 
schools  of  Hangchow,  and  the  Mid-China  Mission  have 
been  co-ordinated  provides  a regular  system  from  the 
primarv  schools  to  the  college.  The  plans  for  this  system 
have  been  adopted  by  the  mission  and  approved  by  the 
Executive  Committee.  The  location  of  these  institutions 
at  Hangchow,  the  capital  of  Chekiang,  with  their 
thoroughly  equipped  buildings  “will  be  the  capstone  of 
our  Presbyterian  educational  system  in  this  part  of 
China.” 

We  have  no  regularly  established  hospital  at  Hang- 
chow. A satisfactory  arrangement  with  the  excellent 
medical  staff  and  hospital  equipment  of  the  Church  Mis- 
sionary Society,  supplies  our  missionaries  with  the  best 
physicians  whenever  needed.  Miss  E.  B.  French  has  for 
many  years  done  considerable  clinical  work.  In  the 
cholera  period  some  years  ago,  Miss  French  remained 
with  the  people,  and  bv  her  ministries  to  the  sick  and 
dying,  and  her  visits  to  the  homes  of  the  sorrowing,  she 
won  a place  in  the  hearts  of  the  Chinese  which  has  given 
her  entrance  to  a large  work. 


Kashing 


Kashing  is  one  of  the  eleven  prefectures  of  Chekiang 
Province.  The  city  walls  were  built  about  the  year  897 


i8  Along  the  Grand  Canal 

A.  D.,  upon  a site  of  some  repute  from  feudal  times. 
Situated  on  the  Grand  Canal  nearly  midway  between 
Hangchow  and  Soochow,  it  marks  the  highest  reach  of 
tidewater  from  Shanghai.  Canals  connect  with  the  bay 
ports  on  the  south,  and  with  the  mountains  on  the  west. 
A strategic  point  in  war,  it  is  also  an  important  commer- 
cial center  in  times  of  peace.  A palace  fortress,  built  by 


Buddhist  Women  at  Worship. 


the  Taiping  rebels,  is  still  in  use  as  an  ofificial  residence, 
Kashing  is  noted  for  its  great  scholars,  superior  fruits,  ex- 
cellent rice,  salt-fish  market,  brick,  tiles,  and  durable  brass 
work.  The  city  abounds  with  Confucian,  Buddhist,  and 
Taoist  temples.  The  worship  of  ancestors,  devotion  to 
idols,  and  fear  of  demons  is  universal.  Swarms  of  priests, 
monks,  and  nuns  prey  upon  the  people.  A careful  esti- 
mate, based  upon  the  last  census  with  reference  to  im- 
migration and  the  birth  rate,  fixes  the  population  for  the 
city  and  suburbs  at  100,000,  and  for  the  department,  in- 
cluding the  city,  2,000,000. 

The  entrance  of  the  gospel  into  Kashing  required  a 
long  seige.  For  over  thirty  years  representatives  of  the 


Along  the  Grand  Canal  19 

different  missions  in  China  had  endeavored  to  enter  the 
city  without  success.  In  1892  the  best  that  our  mis- 
sionaries could  do  was  to  get  a foothold  in  Sinchang,  a 
town  nine  miles  distant.  By  that  kind  of  patient  and  tact- 
ful effort,  combined  with  continued  prayer,  known  only 
to  the  pioneer  missionary,  entrance  was  finally  gained  to 
the  city  in  1895.  The  door  by  which  the  entrance  was 
gained  was  the  medical  work.  The  first  place  to  be  oc- 
cupied was  a small  room  for  a dispensary.  Healing  and 
preaching  went  on  together  until  a group  of  believers  was 
formed  and  soon  property  was  secured  for  a chapel,  hos- 
pital, school  and  missionary  residences.  In  the  early  days 
the  health  of  the  missionaries  suffered  severe  tests  on 
account  of  the  unsanitary  condition  of  the  native  dwell- 
ings in  which  they  were  compelled  to  live.  With  the 
modern  missionary  houses  and  surroundings  on  the  com- 
pound the  health  of  the  station  is  much  improved.  Dur- 
ing the  passing  years  there  has  been  a steady  gain  in  the 
friendliness  of  the  people.  One  of  the  missionaries  when 
he  first  entered  the  north  gate  at  Hashing  and  paused  at 
a shop  within  the  gate  to  offer  a tract  to  a man  at  the 
door,  was  met  with  a look  of  unutterable  contempt.  Not- 
withstanding the  early  persecution,  the  church  has  quietly 
and  steadily  grown.  Within  that  same  north  gate  there 
is  a fine  compound  on  which  has  been  erected  dwellings 
for  the  missionaries,  hospital  buildings,  and  a school 
building.  The  chapel  has,  until  recently,  been  immediately 
connected  with  one  of  the  hospital  buildings.  The  ser- 
vices are  crowded  with  interested  audiences.  The  church 
is  well  located  and  is  the  center  of  a large  evangelistic 
work  in  the  city  and  surrounding  country.  A very  active 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  is  one  of  the  evange- 
listic agencies  of  the  school  and  church.  A work  that 


20 


Along  tjil  Gkand  Canal 


has  promise  of  great  blessing  has  been  opened  directly 
across  the  city  from  the  main  station.  The  policy  of  all 
onr  missions  is  to  hnild  np  a strong  center,  and  from 
these  centers,  reach  ont  to  points  of  vantage  in  the  city 
and  country. 

The  latest  reports  from  the  city  and  the  surrounding 
helds,  read  with  remembrance  of  the  intense  opposition 


Children  in  Winter  Dress. 

to  the  gospel  in  the  early  days,  the  trials  of  onr  mis- 
sionaries, and  the  persecution  of  the  native  Christians, 
tell  the  story  of  the  triumph  of  the  grace  of  God.  The 
completion  of  the  railroad  from  Shanghai  to  Hangchow, 
passing  through  Kashing  will  add  immensely  to  the  facili- 
ties for  reaching  the  people  in  this  district.  A large  and 
important  section  of  the  country  around  Kashing  is  regu- 
larly visited  by  the  missionary  appointed  for  the  work. 
The  out  station  work  in  this  district,  as  at  other  stations, 
has  many  encouraging  features.  One  of  the  most  pleas- 
ing sights  in  the  Mid-China  Mission  field  is  of  witness 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


21 


the  gathering  of  a congregation  for  Sabbath  worship  in 
a country  district.  Many  families  come  in  their  canal 
boats.  The  day  is  spent  in  preaching  the  Word,  talking 
with  inquirers,  holding  conferences,  etc.  As  the  evening 
comes  on  the  people  return  to  their  homes,  and  the  tired, 
but  happy  missionary  finds  a ])lace  of  rest  in  the  village, 
or  more  frequently  in  the  canal  boat.  I'rom  these  country 
churches,  as  in  our  own  country,  come  many  of  the  very 
best  Christians. 

The  Kashing  High  School,  originally  called  the  Axon 
Alemorial  School,  began,  as  nearly  all  mission  schools 
begin,  with  the  smaller  hoys  and  a very  elementary 
course  of  study.  Under  the  excellent  administration  of 
Rev.  J.  Mercer  Blain,  assisted  by  Mrs.  Blain  and  others, 
the  standard  of  the  school  has  been  steadily  raised  until 
now  its  graduates  are  qualified  to  enter  the  missionary 
colleges.  One  cannot  visit  this  school  without  becoming 
conscious  of  the  spiritual  atmosphere  pervading  the  entire 
work.  The  results  are  all  the  more  remarkable  when  it 
is  remembered  that  the  facilities  in  the  way  of  buildings 
and  equipment  have  been  very  inadequate.  By  the  wise 
purchase  of  land  a splendid  location,  adjoining  the  station 
compound,  has  been  secured  for  the  new  buildings,  which 
when  completed,  will  enlarge  the  capacity  in  the  matter  of 
room,  and  increase  the  ability  of  the  Kashing  High  School 
to  give  Christian  education  to  bovs,  who  will,  in  a few 
years,  be  the  preachers  and  teachers  in  the  communities 
from  which  they  come. 

The  hospitals  at  Kashing  have  been  one  of  the  most 
important  and  successful  lines  of  missionary  activity  from 
the  very  beginning  of  the  work.  Here,  again,  we  find 
an  inadequacy  as  to  buildings  and  facilities,  but  notwith- 
standing these  limitations,  many  thousands  of  patients 


22 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


have  been  treated  in  the  daily  clinic,  and  many  hundred 
have  received  treatment  for  more  serious  ailments  in  the 
hospital.  Dr.  W.  H.  Venable,  who  for  more  than  twenty 
years  has  been  in  charge  of  the  hospital,  with  the  assis- 
tance of  other  missionaries,  has  gained  for  the  medical 
work  at  Kashing  a deserved  wide  reputation.  A num- 
ber of  men  have  been  trained  for  hospital  work,  and  others 
are  qualified  to  practice  medicine  among  the  Chinese. 
During  the  absence  of  Dr.  Venable  on  his  recent  fur- 
lough a large  part  of  the  hospital  administration  was 
directed  by  a courteous,  refined  Chinese  Christian  doctor, 
who  is  a product  of  the  hospital  training.  The  evange- 
listic side  of  the  medical  work,  as  in  all  other  of  our 
station  hospitals,  is  never  subordinated  to  the  physical 
welfare  of  the  patients.  While  the  people  are  waiting 
for  their  turn  to  be  admitted  to  the  examination  room, 
they  are  gathered  in  the  chapel,  and  the  gospel  is  faith- 
fully preached  to  them  by  the  native  evangelists  and  the 
missionaries.  Many  who  have  gone  to  the  hospital  for 
the  healing  of  the  body  only,  have  gone  away  with 
spiritual  healing  to  “tell  their  friends  what  great  things 
the  Lord  hath  done  for  them.” 

The  relation  of  the  evangelistic  work  to  all  other  lines 
of  activity  in  the  conduct  of  our  foreign  work  in  any 
field  is  well  stated  in  the  following  paragraph  taken  from 
the  annual  report  of  the  Mid-China  Mission  for  1910; 
“In  motive  and  in  purpose  all  the  work  is  evangelistic. 
'Fhe  worker  in  ward  and  clinic  exemplifies  the  love  of 
Christ,  and  is  inspired  by  the  hope  that  both  body  and 
soul  of  the  sufiferer  may  receive  the  healing  touch  of  the 
Great  Physician.  The  teacher  gives  of  the  sweat  of  his 
brow  that  the  youth  of  China,  while  learning  mathematics, 
science,  and  literature,  may,  above  all,  learn  to  know 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


23 


Christ,  and  that  he  may  be  thoroughly  furnished  for  wit- 
nessing to  the  uplifting  power  of  the  gospel  among  his 
own  people.  The  same  purpose  inspires  the  student  of 
the  language,  the  literary  worker,  the  builder  of  dwellings, 
chapels,  and  churches.” 


Tunghiang 

The  beginning  of  the  work  in  the  Tunghiang  field 
(formerly  Dongshang),  was  at  the  town  of  Sinchang, 
nine  miles  from  Kashing.  The  difficulty  in  gaining  an 
entrance  into  Kashing  was  the  occasion  of  the  opening 
of  Sinchang.  At  this  place,  Rev.  P.  F.  Price,  with  a 
Chinese  preacher,  lived  in  a small  house  where  the  gospel 
was  first  preached  in  this  vicinity,  and  from  the  small 
town  of  Sinchang,  entrance  was  finally  gained  into  Kash- 
ing. Rev.  P.  F.  Price,  in  giving  an  account  of  the  early 
days  of  this  work  relates  that  at  the  first  Christian  ser- 
vice held  in  Sinchang  there  were  four  Chinese  Christians 
and  three  missionaries.  The  meeting  was  held  with  closed 
doors  to  avoid  interruption.  Those  were  days  when  mis- 
sionaries leaned  hard  on  the  promises  and,  as  Mr.  Price 
remarked,  “Probably  with  a tighter  grip  than  in  the  days 
of  prosperity  and  quietness.”  During  the  first  winter  of 
the  work,  the  missionaries  lived  in  Chinese  quarters.  Of 
these  experiences  Mr.  Price  writes  as  follows : 

“Our  bed  rooms  were  very  much  ‘in  the  open.’  There 
was  a stove  in  the  dining-room,  which  was  also  used  as 
sitting  room,  reception  room,  library  and  whatnot.  It 
was  a severe  winter,  the  coldest  that  has  been  experienced 
in  China  for  thirty  years,  and  we  found  our  stove  seeming 
to  give  out  little  heat.  We  made  the  discovery  that  the 
heat  was  leaking  out  in  the  tile  roof  overhead.  So  one 
evening  we  went  to  work  and  pasted  paper  on  the  inside 


24 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


of  the  rafters,  which  was  a great  improvement.  One 
night  we  saw  a movement  inside  of  the  paper.  We  dis- 
covered it  was  a snake  in  pursuit  of  a rat.  One  evening 
there  was  a crash  suddenly  on  the  table  while  we  were 
at  supper.  It  was  a neighboring  cat  that  had  come  to  spy 


Bible  Woman — Kiangyin. 


us  out.  Gaining  a perch  in  the  Chinese  room  she  decided 
to  make  a spring.  These  and  other  novel  e.xperiences 
were  turned  into  ])astimes.  The  second  summer  found  us 
fully  readv  for  a little  respite  from  the  crowds  and  inces- 
sant work  and  a sight  of  our  own  people  on  the  welcome 
hills  near  Hangchow.” 

From  the  beginning  there  has  been  a steady  gain  in 
the  friendliness  of  the  people,  with  entire  change  of  spirit. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


25 


The  premises  at  Sinchang  were  only  thirty-five  feet  wide. 
The  missionary  residence,  built  in  1893,  though  small,  has 
housed  a number  of  missionaries — all  who  have  engaged 
in  work  at  Sinchang  in  the  passing  years.  In  the  little 
missionary  house  we  are  told  that  as  many  as  seven  grown 
people  lived  at  one  time.  There  being  no  room  for  ex- 
pansion, in  1905  the  central  station  was  moved  to  Dongs- 
hang,  now  named  Tunghiang.  This  is  an  important  town 
in  the  center  of  a heart-shaped  field,  about  eighteen  miles 
from  Kashing  on  a branch  canal  a few  miles  from  the 
Grand  Canal.  The  population  is  about  20,000.  It  is  a 
Cjuiet  city  apart  from  the  main  line  of  China’s  great  artery 
of  travel.  A large  number  of  important  towns  in  the 
vicinity  of  Tunghiang  render  its  position  one  of  impor- 
tance. 

On  the  well  located  land  adjoining  the  city  wall,  and 
accessible  b}-  canal,  there  have  been  erected  two  good  mis- 
sionary homes,  a hospital,  dispensarv  room,  a school  build- 
ing and  an  excellent  chapel,  with  the  necessary  out  build- 
ings. The  work  at  Sinchang  is  continued  as  an  outsta- 
tion.  At  Tunghiang  thee  is  a medical  work  and  a school 
for  twenty  boys.  There  are  six  outstations  including  one 
large  town.  There  are  four  ])reachers,  two  Bible  women, 
two  theological  students,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty 
communicants  in  the  field. 

In  all  departments  of  the  work — evangelistic,  educa- 
tional and  medical,  splendid  progress  is  being  made.  In 
the  church  at  Sinchang  there  have  probablv  been  one. 
hundred  persons  baptized.  From  this  little  church  there 
have  gone  out  five  preachers,  two  Bible  women,  and  a 
number  of  other  workers.  The  original  members  have 
been  scattered.  A number  of  them  are  now  living  in 
other  stations.  It  has  peopled  the  mission  premises  at 


26 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


Tunghiang,  and  yet  there  is  a band  of  believers  left  at 
Sincbang  and  the  work  is  growing.  The  field  of  which 
Tunghiang  is  the  center,  and  for  which  our  mission  is 
responsible,  is  forty  miles  m extent,  from  north  to  south, 
and  thickly  populatevl.  The  estimated  population  is 
250,000  souls,  and  “each  of  these  souls  is  more  precious 
than  the  whole  world.” 

Soociiow 

Soochow  is  known  as  the  beautiful  city  of  China,  in 
poetical  terms,  “lleautiful  Soo.”  The  city  was  founded 
during  the  life  of  Confucius  B.  C.  500.  It  is  four  miles 
in  length,  north  to  south,  and  nearly  three  in  breadth.  The 
walls  around  the  city  are  about  thirteen  miles  in  length. 
It  is  intersected  by  about  thirty  miles  of  canals  faced  with 
stone  and  spanned  by  numerous  bridges.  Of  the  seven 
pagodas  in  and  around  the  city,  the  Great  Pagoda  is  the 
highest  in  China.  The  Tiger  Hill  Pagoda,  the  leaning 
tower  of  Soochow,  is  thirteen  hundred  years  old.  There 
are  fourteen  temples  within  the  sacred  precincts.  The 
great  trade  of  Soochow  is  silk,  with  a large  trade  in  fur- 
niture, jade  and  articles  in  silver.  Around  the  walls  of 
Soochow  “Chinese  Gordon”  led  his  army. 

Soochow  is  an  open  port,  situated  in  Kiangsu 
I’rovince,  on  a cluster  of  islands  in  “Great  Lake,”  seventy 
miles  northwest  of  Shanghai,  with  which  it  is  connected 
by  streams,  canals  and  railway.  It  is  celebrated  for  its 
Iniildings,  terraces,  gardens,  manufactures,  and  extensive 
trade.  The  environs  are  covered  with  orchards,  gardens, 
highly  cultivated  fields  of  cotton,  rice,  wheat,  etc.  There 
are  four  large  suburbs.  The  population  of  the  city  and 
vicinity  is  estimated  to  be  about  5,000,000. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


27 


The  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  United  States, 
in  Soochow  was  begun  in  1872.  In  1874  a lot  was  bought 
near  to  the  Confucian  Temple.  In  the  autumn,  at  the 
sacrifice  to  the  sage,  the  literati  decided  if  the  foreigner 
built  on  the  dragon’s  head  (the  Confucian  Temple)  the 
chances  for  the  young  aspirants  for  academic  honors 
would  be  reduced  to  a minimum.  The  middle  man  was 
arrested  and  kept  in  prison  for  four  years.  Just  before 


Re\-.  H.  C.  DuBose  With  Company  of  Christians — Soochow. 


this  occurred  there  was  a riot  at  the  chapel,  as  Sunday 
came  on  a general  holiday,  the  throngs  were  too  great 
for  holding  religious  service.  A dozen  years  afterwards, 
land  was  bought,  but  work  on  the  wall  being  forbidden, 
an  American  Consul  spent  six  weeks  in  the  city  settling 
the  case. 


South  Soochow  Station. 

In  connection  with  the  Soochow  field,  we  have  two 
stations,  the  oldest  being  South  Soochow.  Connected 
with  the  compound  at  this  station,  located  in  the  heart 


28 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


of  the  city  and  accessible  to  an  immense  population,  there 
are  two  missionary  homes  and  a chapel.  A primary  school 
is  conducted  in  a Chinese  house. 

The  evangelistic  work  conducted  from  this  station  in- 
cludes the  services  at  the  chapel,  for  many  years  in  charge 
of  our  veteran  and  well  known  missionary,  Rev.  H.  C. 
DuBose.  He  was  assisted  by  competent  native  workers. 
Many  thousands  of  Chinese  have  heard  and  a large  num- 
ber have  received  the  gospel  message.  There  is  the  usual 
Sunday-school  and  Bible  study  work.  The  missionary 
women  have  done  a very  large  amount  of  visitation  in  the 
city.  In  recent  years  Dr.  DuBose  has  had  the  assistance 
of  his  son,  Rev.  Palmer  C.  DuBose.  Very  early  in  the 
history  of  the  mission  an  extensive  small  town  and  country 
work  was  established  in  which  Dr.  and  Mrs.  DuBose  have 
faithfully  labored. 

The  South  Soochow  station  and  our  entire  missionary 
body,  have  suffered  a great  loss  in  the  death  of  Rev.  H. 
C.  DuBose,  which  occurred  on  March  22,  1910.  Dr.  Du- 
Bose, by  his  preaching  of  the  gospel,  his  literary  work, 
including  a large  number  of  religiotts  works  in  the 
Chinese  language,  and  in  recent  years,  his  leadership  in 
the  anti-opium  movement,  has  made  a profound  impress 
u])on  the  people  of  China.  In  all  this  service  Mrs.  Du- 
Bose has  been  his  constant  com])anion. 

North  Soochow  Station. 

The  North  Soochow  station  is  located  outside  the  city 
walls  adjoining  one  of  the  large  suburbs.  In  the  early 
days  of  the  work.  Dr.  J.  R.  Wilkinson  conducted  a dis- 
pensary at  the  home  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Davis  inside  the  city. 
In  the  year  1897  this  dispensary  was  moved  to  its  present 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


29 


location  and  the  Elizabeth  Blake  Hospital  was  founded. 
The  experiences  leading  np  to  the  establishment  of  this 
hospital  are  an  interesting  part  of  the  history  of  the  work 
at  Soochow.  Rev.  John  W.  Davis,  who  had  been  preach- 
ing the  gospel  in  Soochow  for  twenty-five  years,  monnted 
his  wheel  one  morning  in  1893  and  rode  into  the  country 
taking  with  him  a package  of  quinine,  for  which  he  found 
a ready  demand.  The  next  morning  he 
took  a larger  package,  using  it  in  a simi- 
lar way,  and  gathered  around  him  an 
audience  that  listened  with  interest  to  the 
story  of  the  Great  Physician,  who  would 
not  only  heal  their  bodies  but  tbeir 
souls.  Tbe  next  mail  from  America 
brought  him  a letter  from  his  old  friend. 
Prof.  J.  R.  Blake,  of  South  Carolina, 
making  inquiry  about  establishing  a hos- 
pital for  the  advancement  of  medical 
missions  in  China.  This  was  an  answer 
to  prayer.  A missionary,  commenting 
upon  this,  savs : “Thus  was  verified  the 
promise,  ‘Before  they  call,  I will  answer; 
and  while  they  are  vet  speaking,  I will  hear."  Prof,  and 
Mrs.  Blake,  considering  where  they  might  make  an  in- 
vestment that  would  yield  the  largest  returns  in  spiritual 
dividends  were  led  to  decide  upon  the  establi,shment  of 
a mission  hospital  in  China.  After  considerable  delay  in 
obtaining  a suitable  site,  property  was  obtained  outside 
the  north  gate  at  Soochow  in  1896.  A dwelling  house 
for  the  doctor’s  use  was  erected  in  1897.  The  buildings 
were  finished  in  1898  and  the  work  of  the  hospital  was 
begun  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  when  the  first  patients 
were  received  in  the  new  wards.  All  the  hospital  build- 


30 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


ings  are  of  brick.  The  original  cost  was  about  $ii,ooo 
gold.  The  grounds  extend  about  300  feet  along  a main 
thoroughfare  leading  from  the  north  gate  to  a large  town. 
A canal  passes  the  hospital,  and  the  entire  water-front 
l}  ing  between  the  hospital  enclosure  and  the  stream  be- 
longs to  the  hospital.  Over  the  gateway  is  a Chinese 
inscription  in  large  characters,  “Protestant  Gospel  Hos- 
pital.’’ Above  the  desk  in  the  chapel,  or  reception 
room,  is  a marble  slab  built  into  the  wall  bearing  the  in- 
scription, “Elizabeth  Blake  Hospital,  founded  by  John 
Rennie  Blake,  in  Loving  Memory  of  his  Mother  and 
his  W’ife,  in  1897.”  The  location  of  the  hospital  is  easily 
accessible  to  a large  section  of  the  country  by  means  of 
countless  canals  which  intersect  the  rich  plain  in  every 
direction.  It  is  estimated  that  in  a circle  within  a radius 
of  twenty-miles,  with  the  hospital  for  a center,  there  is  a 
population  of  a million  people. 

In  connection  with  the  work  of  the  hosjutal,  Dr. 
Wilkinson  and  his  associates  have  conducted  a medical 
school  from  which  a number  of  excellent  young  men  have 
Iieen  graduated.  In  the  women’s  department  there  ha-, 
been  a nurse’s  training  school  in  which  young  Chinese 
women  have  had  an  excellent  preparation  for  ministering 
to  the  sick  in  ways  unknown  to  the  Chinese  before  the  in- 
troduction of  medical  missions.  A recent  generous  gift 
will  provide  for  the  erection  of  an  additional  good  build- 
ing to  be  used  in  connection  with  the  hospital,  which  will 
|)rovidc  facilities  for  enlarged  work  and  also  for  the 
medical  school  for  the  training  of  medical  students. 

At  the  North  Soochow  station  there  are  several  mis- 
sionary homes.  The  inadequate  chapel  has  been  recently 
replaced  l)y  a new  and  better  located  building.  A very 
considerable  work  in  the  country,  reaching  out  to  the 


Along  the  Grand  Canal  31 

towns  and  villages  on  the  great  plain,  has  been  conducted. 
The  country  work  of  this  station,  and  indeed  of  the  entire 
Soochow  field  has  for  its  only  limitation  workers  for  the 
waiting  harvest. 

Adjoining  the  hospital  grounds  is  the  very  inadequate 
building  in  which  the  Sibley  Home  and  School  for  Girls 
has  been  conducted  for  a number  of  years,  and  is  giving  a 
Christian  education  to  a number  of  bright  Chinese  girls. 
The  need  of  land  and  building  fo'r  this  school  has  been 
repeatedly  made  known  to  the  church.  How  much  longer 
shall  the  patient  workers  wait  for  a generous  response? 

The  South  Soochow  station  has  recently  sufifered  a 
great  loss,  as  has  the  whole  mission,  in  the  death  of  Dr. 
David  Todd  Stuart,  the  son  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  J-  L.  Stuart, 
Sr.  His  tragic  death,  suddenly  removed  from  the  sphere 
of  active  service  one  that  it  seemed  could  not  be  spared 
from  tbe  work.  The  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Dr. 
Stuart  is  a call  for  a well  educated  and  strong  young 
man  to  take  the  vacant  place  in  the  great  work  of  the 
Elizabeth  Blake  Hospital. 

Kiangyin 

Kiangyin  is  a city  of  some  sixty  thousand  population, 
located  near  the  southern  bank  of  the  Yangtze  River  about 
half  way  between  Chinkiang  and  Shanghai.  It  is  some 
thirty  miles  from  the  Grand  Canal.  Its  military  impor- 
tance, including  the  historic  fortifications  guarding  the 
Yangtze  River,  and  its  location  in  the  center  of  one  of 
the  most  densely  populated  portions  of  China  make  it  a 
missionary  center  of  great  importance. 

The  first  attempt  to  organize  a Protestant  work  at 
Kiangyin  was  made  in  the  spring  of  1894  by  Rev.  George 
H.  Hudson,  who  it  was  expected  would  be  Permanently 


32 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


located  at  that  station.  He  was  to  have  the  assistance 
of  Rev.  H.  C.  DnBose  and  Rev.  John  W.  Paxton.  A 
beginning  v/as  made  by  renting  a native  house  on  a small 
piece  of  land  outside  the  east  gate  of  the  city.  The  gentrv, 
assisted  by  tbe  magistrate,  made  every  effort  to  stop  the 


Elder  in  Sinchang  Church.  Wife  and  Son. 


work.  A proclamation  was  issued  instructing  the  magis- 
trate to  protect  the  persons  of  foreigners,  but  no  protec- 
tion was  to  lx:  given  to  natives  who  might  enter  their 
services.  The  op])osition  culminated  in  a riot  gotten  up 
by  tbe  gentrv  which  was  attended  by  tbe  secretary  of  the 
magistrate  wdio  was  jx'esent  to  see  that  no  violence  was 
done  the  missionaries  provided  they  would  leave  the  place. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


33 


Under  the  circumstances  the  missionaries  were  compelled 
to  temporarily  abandon  the  station. 

In  the  spring  of  1895  a second  effort  was  made  to  open 
a station  at  Kiangyin.  Rev.  R.  A.  Haden  was  in  charge 
of  the  work  and  had  the  assistance  of  Dr.  DnBose.  When 
these  brethren  presented  themselves  at  the  door  of  the 
yamen  of  the  magistrate  they  were  compelled  to  wait  for 
two  hours  and  a half  before  they  were  granted  an  au- 
dience. A letter  from  the  American  Consul  was  given 
the  magistrate  who  read  it  in  a most  perfunctory  man- 
ner, and  looking  up.  his  face  expressing  hatred  and  con- 
tempt, said,  “Is  that  all  ?“  The  missionaries  replied,  “Yes, 
we  have  presented  our  case.  We  have  no  more  to  say 
except  that  we  hope  our  request  will  be  granted.”  The 
magistrate  answered,  “Very  well ; good-bye,”  and  rose 
from  his  seat,  thus  signifying  that  the  interview  was 
over.  An  attempt  by  the  missionaries  to  speak  further 
was  met  by  the  magistrate  saying,  “Get  out,  get  out.” 
waving  them  away  as  if  thev  had  been  criminals  and  were 
driven  from  the  presence  of  injured  law.  Rut  the  effort 
was  not  given  up.  The  Consul  personally  took  the  matter 
in  hand  and  had  an  interview  with  the  Taotoi,  a higher 
official.  The  result  was  that  the  Taotoi  wrote  a letter  to 
the  magistrate  in  which  he  said,  “you  must  now  cease  this. 
I cannot  give  you  supjwrt  any  longer.”  After  this 
favorable  decision  by  the  Taotoi  the  Consul  sent  a repre- 
sentative to  Kiangyin  with  the  result  that  a place  was 
rented.  However,  it  was  evident  to  the  missionaries  that 
the  atmosphere  was  charged  with  opposition  and  that  the 
slightest  mistake  would  set  the  whole  community  in  a 
blaze  of  opposition.  Mr.  Haden  at  a later  date  located 
at  Kiangyin  as  the  missionary  in  charge.  A native  Chris- 
tian day  school  teacher  and  an  ex-soldier,  who  was  also 


34  Along  the  Grand  Canal 

a Christian,  took  possession  of  the  rented  property  in 
the  early  part  of  May,  1895.  The  work  encountered  every 
possible  opposition.  False  reports  were  spread  among 
the  gentry  and  spies  were  constantly  around.  Some  days 
the  people  would  come  in  crowds  and  immediately  fol- 
lowing there  would  be  no  one  around.  Mr.  Haden’s  time 

was  largely  occupied  with  repair- 
ing the  property,  treating  some 
of  the  more  simple  diseases  in 
the  hope  of  making  friends.  In 
the  fall  of  1895  Rev.  Lacy  L. 
Little  located  at  Kiangyin  and 
began  the  study  of  the  language. 
Some  progress  was  made  until 
the  spring  of  1896,  when  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  break  up 
the  mission  work  by  riot.  The 
writer  of  the  original  deed 
to  the  property,  thinking  to 
frighten  the  missionaries  into 
giving  money,  secretly  buried  a 
child  in  the  rear  yard  of  the  compound  and  circulated 
the  story  that  the  missionaries  were  killing  the  children 
and  using  their  eyes  for  medicine.  The  missionaries 
readily  gave  permission  for  a search  of  the  premises  to 
be  made.  The  leader  of  the  riot  led  the  crowd  to  the 
place  where  he  had  secreted  the  body  of  the  child  and 
unearthed  it.  This  precipitated  a riot,  and  the  mission- 
aries, barely  escaping  with  their  lives,  took  refuge  in  the 
Kiangyin  fort  where  they  were  given  protection.  The 
furnishings  were  destroyed  and  the  mission  building  was 
wrecked  but  not  burned.  Within  a few  days  the  plot 


llnii-E  Woman,  Kiangyin. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal  35 

was  divulged  and  the  missionaries  were  completely  ex- 
onerated. 

The  tide  turned  in  favor  of  the  missionaries.  The 
leader  of  the  riot  was  sentenced  to  be  beheaded, 
but  was  allowed  to  take  poison  instead.  The  second 
man  in  the  plot  was  sentenced  to  perpetual  banishment, 
though  the  missionaries  were  not  convinced  that  he 
was  guilty,  for  it  was  through  his  statements  that  the 
plot  was  divulged.  A gratifying  incident  of  the  work 
has  been  that  after  eight  years  of  banishment  this  exile  “is 
known  as  a reader  of  The  Book,  and  one  who  would  not 
work  on  the  seventh  day.”  He  was  found  by  a China  In- 
land missionary  in  another  province  and  was  living  a lone 
Christian  life  in  the  midst  of  absolute  heathenism.  The 
opposition  of  the  people  following  the  riot  was  finally 
broken  down  by  the  uniform  kindness  of  the  missionaries, 
preaching  the  gospel,  the  practice  of  medicine  and  personal 
work.  In  1897  the  work  that  had  been  started  at  Wusih 
was  moved  to  Kiangyin,  making  one  strong  station.  More 
than  two  years  after  the  first  attempt  to  open  the  station 
the  first  openly  confessed  inquirer  was  received.  About 
this  time  work  was  opened  in  the  surrounding  country. 
At  Kiangyin  we  have  an  organized  church  of  which  Rev. 
Lacy  L.  Little  with  a Chinese  assistant,  is  in  charge. 
Large  congregations  attend  the  Sunday  services.  In  the 
chapel,  connected  with  the  hospital,  there  is  daily  preach- 
ing to  the  large  number  of  men  and  women  who  come 
for  treatment.  All  the  regular  services  in  the  church  are 
well  attended  and  there  has  been  recently  a great  spiritual 
aw'akening  among  the  members  and  a spirit  of  inquiry 
among  the  people  generally.  In  the  city  of  Kiangyin  there 
is  a chapel  near  the  north  gate  where  a most  hopeful 
beginning  has  been  made.  An  important  feature  of  the 


rVl.ONG  TIJK  GkAN])  CaNAL 


36 

evangelistic  work  at  the  Kiangyin  station  is  the  monthly 
meetings  of  three  days  each  held  for  conference  and 
llihle  study  with  tlie  evangelistic  workers. 

Kiangyin  is  the  center  of  a large  country  work  in 
charge  of  Rev.  Lacy  I.  Moflfett,  assisted  bv  his  associate 
Chinese  preacher  who  has  rendered  invaluable  service. 
The  Kiangyin  held  inclndcs  the  organized  church  and 
chajiel  in  the  city  and  two  organized  churches  and  seven 
ehai)els  in  the  country.  The  1909  report  for  this  held 
shows  a total  of  four  hundred  and  twelve  members  of 
churches,  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  inquirers,  seven 
elders,  and  six  deacons. 

The  women  missionaries  at  this  station  are  very  ac- 
tive in  city  and  country  work.  They  travel  in  their  small 
house  l)oats,  acconqranied  by  their  Chinese  Rible  women, 
visiting  the  villages  and  country  places,  meeting  women 
in  groups  and  in  their  homes — a rvork  that  is  hnding 
its  reward  in  the  souls  that  are  coming  out  of  the  dark- 
ness of  heathendom  into  the  light  of  the  gos[)el  of  Christ. 

The  excellent  hospital  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Geo. 
C.  Worth,  wdth  his  Chinese  assistants,  has  been  one  of  the 
very  successfnl  agencies  of  the  Kiangyin  field.  The  hos- 
pital is  admirably  located.  The  number  of  patients 
treated  in  the  clinic  and  taken  care  of  in  the  ho,spital  is 
only  limited  hv  the  capacity  of  the  buildings.  Dr.  WTrth 
has  develo])ed  a number  of  competent  native  medical 
helpers.  There  is  great  need  of  a woman’s  hospital  build- 
ing. 

A school  for  boys  rvas  opened  in  the  early  davs  of  the 
station.  This  school  has  steadily  grown  from  its  begin- 
ning. The  majority  of  the  students  come  from  Christian 
lamilies  and  a good  proportion  of  the  students  are  church 
members.  The  school  has  been  limited  in  its  possibili- 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


37 


tics  by  lack  of  an  adccjiiatc  biiildino',  and  a missionary 
teacber  to  assist  Air.  Little.  A new  building  is  being 
erected  and  the  needed  teacher  is  to  be  supplied.  With 
the  enlarged  quarters  and  better  equipment  the  already 
efficient  work  wdll  be  largely  increased. 

The  girls’  and  women’s  training  school  is  one  of  the 
very  successful  educational  features  of  the  Kiangyin  sta- 
tion. This  school  is  attended  by  as  large  number  of  girls 
and  women  as  can  be  accommodated  in  the  remodeled 
Chinese  building.  A number  of  the  girls  come  from 
homes  of  the  middle  and  higher  classes  of  people  in  the 
city.  Airs.  Little  is  in  charge  of  the  girls,  and  also  the 
training  school  in  which  women  are  prepared  for  Chris- 
tian work  by  a regular  course  of  .study  and  training  in 
actual  seryice. 


Cii.VNGcnow 

Changebow  is  a ])refectural  city  on  the  Shanghai  and 
Nanking  Railway,  situated  about  half  way  between  Soo- 
chow  and  Cbinkiang.  This  is  the  last  large  city  along 
the  Grand  Canal,  to  be  occupied  by  our  Church.  The 
establishment  of  our  ^york  at  Changchow  is  the  only  link 
lacking  in  the  chain  of  stations  that  will  bind  together 
the  Alid-Cbina  and  North  Kiangsu  Alissions.  For  many 
years  the  Alission  has  desired  to  enter  this  city  and  plans 
haye  been  repeatedly  made  but  without  permanent  suc- 
cess. The  temporary  work  that  has  been  done  has  proyen 
the  importance  of  the  field,  and  the  possibility  of  getting 
a strong  bold  in  the  city. 


38 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


Nanking 

Nanking  is  one  of  the  great  cities  of  China.  It  was 
the  seat  of  government  of  the  Ming  dynasty.  Not  far 
from  the  city  is  the  tomb  of  the  first  emperor  of  this 
dynasty.  Nanking  is  situated  on  the  southern  bank  of 
the  Yangtze  River,  which  at  this  point  makes  a right 
angle  so  that  it  borders  the  city  on  the  north  and  west. 
At  one  time  the  wall  surrounding  the  city,  twenty  miles 


School  Gikl,  Sibley  Home  and  School.,  Soochow. 


in  circuit,  seventy  feet  high,  thirty  feet  wide  and  pierced 
with  thirteen  gates,  was  considered  one  of  the  finest 
known.  Much  of  the  territory  included  in  the  walls  is 
unoccupied.  It  is  a great  Chinese  literary  center  and  is 
also  noted  for  various  industries. 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


39 


Union  Theological  Seminary^  Nanking. 

Previous  to  1903  a growing  interest  was  taken  in  the 
matter  of  the  union  of  the  native  churches  in  connection 
with  the  Presbyterian,  U.  S.,  and  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  U.  S.  A.  (Southern  and  Northern),  with  special 
interest  in  the  establishment  of  a Union  Theological 
Seminary.  In  the  summer  of  I90jat  an  informal  meet- 
ing held  on  Mohkansan  there  was  an  earnest  discussion 
of  the  subject  by  representatives  of  both  churches.  At 
the  annual  mission  meetings  of  this  year  both  missions 
appointed  committees  to  consider  the  question  of  a Union 
Theological  Seminary.  This  joint  committee  met  in 
Nanking  on  January  1,  1904.  Nanking  was  selected  as 
the  place  for  the  seminary  to  be  established  and  a call  was 
made  for  $12,000  gold,  $6,000  from  each  of  the  churches 
represented,  to  be  used  in  buying  land  and  erecting  build- 
ings. It  was  recommended  that  a board  of  eight  directors 
representing  the  two  churches,  and  two  professors  be 
elected.  At  the  meetings  of  the  missions  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  U.  S.,  and  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
U.  S.  A.,  in  1904,  the  recommendations  of  the  joint  com- 
mittee were  approved  and  directors  and  professors  elected 
as  recommended. 

An  excellent  site  near  the  Imperial  Granary  inside  the 
west  gate  was  secured,  and  at  a meeting  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  held  at  Nanking  in  1905,  a comprehensive 
plan  for  the  buildings  of  the  institution  was  adopted.  The 
Board  ordered  that  one  professor’s  house,  one  dormitory 
and  a gate  house  be  erected  at  once  and  provided  for  the 
enclosure  of  the  lot  by  a substantial  brick  wall.  These 
buildings  were  finished  in  May  of  that  year. 

While  the  plans  for  the  estabiishment  of  the  semi- 


40 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


nary  were  being  developed  the  matter  of  the  union  of 
the  two  branches  of  the  I’reshyterian  Church  working  in 
central  China  were  making  steady  progress.  In  May, 
1906,  the  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  of  the 
foreigners  and  natives  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a 
union  Presbyterian  Synod  were  held  simultaneously  in 
Nanking.  The  seminary  dormitory,  seventy-five  feet 
long  and  thirty-two  feet  wide,  containing  eighteen  rooms 
for  single  students,  a reception  room,  a guest  room,  a 
dining  room,  and  a kitchen,  was  utilized  as  a place  for  en- 
tertaining the  Chinese  delegates  to  the  Synod.  After  full 
discussion  the  Synod  was  formed  to  he  known  as  the 
Synod  of  five  province.s — Chekiang,  Kiangsu,  Anhui, 
llunau  and  Hupeh.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  Seminary  the  members  of  the  Board 
and  the  professors  solemnly  took  the  pledge  recpiired  in 
the  constitution  requiring  conformity  to  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  Catechism  and  Form  of  Government  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  Nanking  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  was  duly  opened. 

The  work  of  the  Seminary  has  made  very  encourag- 
ing ])rogress.  The  students,  from  the  verv  beginning, 
have  taken  a deep  interest  in  the  work  and  there  has  been 
alreadv  a splendid  hand  of  3mung  men  prepared  under 
Presbyterian  training  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. 
The  work  of  the  institution  has  been  greatlv  hindered,, 
hitherto,  by  lack  of  adequate  Iruildings.  The  much-needed 
building  has  been  erected  during  the  past  vear.  The  added 
cquijanent  will  enable  the  Seminarv  to  do  a much  more 
satisfactory  rvork  with  the  students  now  in  attendance 
and  provide  for  an  increased  number  of  new  students. 
The  two  churches  jointly  interested  in  the  Seminary  may 
well  rejoice  in  an  institution  that  gives  Presbyterian  train- 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


41 


ing  to  tlie  Chinese  young  men  who  will  in  years  to  come 
be  trained  jDreachers  of  the  gospel  to  their  own  people. 
The  greater  the  force  of  well  instructed  native  preachers 
the  earlier  will  be  the  day  when  the  work  of  evangeliza- 
tion of  China  shall  be  completed. 

The  following  is  the  condensed  Annual  Report  of  the 
Seminary  for  1909 : The  Mid-China  Mission  has  the 
privilege  of  furnishing  two  of  the-  three  foreign  profes- 
sors in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  at  Nanking.  The 
Seminary  has  enrolled  during  the  year  forty-three  stu- 
dents, as  follows : Seminary  proper,  ten  ; training  class, 
thirty-two ; irregular  course,  one.  The  student  body 
represents  four  provinces,  and  is  about  equally  divided 
between  the  missions  of  the  American  Presbyterian 
Church,  North  and  South.  Four  of  the  regular  Seminary 
students  and  thirteen  of  the  training  class  graduated  in 
^lay. 

Rev.  John  W.  Davis,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  occupies  the  chair 
of  Theology ; he  is  also  treasurer  of  the  mission  and  chair- 
man of  the  Seminary  Building  Committee.  Rev.  J. 
Leighton  Stuart  occupies  the  chair  of  New  Testament 
Literature  and  Church  History.  An  important  recent  ad- 
dition to  the  course  of  study  has  been  a class  in  modern 
missions,  the  object  being  to  bring  before  tbe  Chinese 
students  the  leading  facts  of  present  dav  evangelism.  A 
beginning  in  teaching  Greek  has  been  made,  the  instruc- 
tion being  given  bv  means  of  blackboard  exercises  and 
notes  printed  from  a hectograph. 

Shanghai 

Shanghai,  the  greatest  port  city  in  China,  is  the 
center  of  a large  number  of  missionarv  activities  and  is 
especially  noted  as  a headquarters  for  the  creation  and 


42 


x\long  the  Grand  Canal 


publication  of  missionary  literature.  The  Chinese  are 
great  readers  and  it  is  of  utmost  importance  that  they 
should  be  supplied  with  Christian  literature.  We  have 
no  mission  station  at  Shanghai,  but  it  is  an  important  city 
to  our  denomination  on  account  of  the  conspicuous  use- 
fulness of  Rev.  S.  Isett  Woodridge,  as  editor  of  the 
Chinese  Christian  Intelligencer.  The  influence  of  this 


A Home  of  the  Poor  Near  Soochow. 


w'eekly  newspaper,  already  large,  is  extending  in  ever 
widening  circles.  The  importance  of  this  publication  is 
such  that  when  our  Mission  was  called  upon  to  release 
Mr.  Woodridge  to  take  the  editorship  of  the  Intelligencer, 
it  was  granted,  notwithstanding  the  loss  it  meant  to  our 
evangelistic  force  in  the  Mission,  The  appreciation  of 
this  publication  is  seen  in  its  increasing  subscription  list. 
Its  pages  are  filled  with  timely,  instructive  and  stimulat- 
ing articles  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  Chinese  corres- 
pondents all  over  the  Empire. 


Alonx  the  Grand  Caxal 


43 


Summary 

Field,  Statistics,  Needs,  Encouragements 

The  following  summary  is  quoted  from  a report  made 
by  Rev.  P.  F.  Price,  dated  March,  1910;  The  Mid- 
China  Mission  has  nine  stations  which,  reading  from 
south  to  north  are  Hangchow,  Tunghiang,  Kashing, 
South  Soochow,  North  Soochow,'  Kiangyin,  Shanghai, 
and  Nanking.  In  general  the  field  of  the  Mission  is 
bounded  by  the  Chien  Tang  (or  Hangchow)  River  on 
the  south  and  the  Yangtze  River  on  the  north. 

The  Mission  has  sixty-two  missionaries  for  the  man- 
ning of  its  stations,  the  carrying  on  of  its  important  in- 
stitutions, which  includes  seminary,  college,  four  high 
schools,  four  dispensaries,  one  newspaper,  varied  literary 
work  and  an  immense  evangelistic  field. 

There  are  fifty-four  centers  of  work,  including  sta- 
tions and  outstations.  There  are  one  hundred  and  forty 
Chinese  assistants,  paid  and  unpaid.  Within  the  bounds 
of  the  Mission  are  one  thousand,  three  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  professing  Chinese  Christians,  of  whom  one 
hundred  and  eighty-nine  were  added  on  examination 
during  the  last  statistical  year  (1909).  There  are  seven- 
teen organized  churches,  thirty  ruling  elders,  and  twenty- 
nine  deacons.  There  are  four  hundred  and  eighty  stu- 
dents in  mission  schools.  During  the  year  there  were  one 
thousand  and  ninety-eight  persons  accommodated  and 
treated  in  mission  hospitals,  and  twenty-six  thousand  one 
hundred  and  forty-six  in  mission  dispensaries. 

The  opportunities  for  effective  work  in  every  depart- 
ment are  exceptional  at  this  time,  and  the  greatest  and 
most  urgent  need  of  the  mission  at  present  is  for  more 
workers  to  care  for  the  work  already  established  and  to 


44 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


take  advantage  of  the  opportunities  already  pressing  upon 
the  missionaries  to  center  upon  the  new  work  that  needs 
to  be  developed. 

The  Mission  has  been  planning  for  years  to  open  the 
large  and  important  prefectural  city  of  Changchow,  which 
lies  on  the  railroad  between  Soochow  and  Nankins',  and 


North  of  the  Yangtze. 


which  would  link  the  field  of  the  Mid-China  Mission  with 
that  of  the  North  Kiangsu  Mission,  making  one  blue  line 
from  Hangchow  clear  to  Hsuchoufu  on  the  border  of 
Shantung,  but  for  lack  of  forces  the  Mission  has  not  yet 
been  able  to  permanently  open  this  work. 

The  recent  meetings  of  the  Preachers’  Conference  and 
of  the  Synod  illustrated  the  strength  of  the  Presbyterian- 
ism that  is  being  developed  in  this  region.  At  the  Synod 


Along  the  Grand  Canal 


45 


the  Chinese  pastors  and  evangelists,  and  elders,  wlio 
were  largely  in  the  majority,  showed  their  administra- 
tive ability  by  the  admirable  way  in  which  they  conducted 
the  afifairs  of  that  court  and  they  gave  us  a vision  of  the 
time  when  they,  and  not  the  missionaries,  will  be  the 
leaders  in  the  evangelization  of  the  Chinese.  And,  both 
at  the  Preachers’  Conference  and  the  Synod,  they  re- 
vealed that  high  conception  of  their  trust  and  those  lofty 
ideals  that  is  the  pride  of  the  Presbyterianism  that  is 
being  planted  by  our  church  in  this  land.  This  Presby- 
terianism has  already  grown  into  a national  church,  the 
first  independent  national  Christian  church  ever  estab- 
lished in  China,  conservative  in  its  adherence  to  the 
truth  and  catholic  in  its  relation  to  all  other  bodies  of 
evangelical  Christians. 

Who  would  not  be  proud  to  have  a part  in  such  an 
enterprise?  And  the  fact  that  the  work  is  hindered  for 
lack  of  the  men  and  women,  and  the  means  for  adequate 
equipment  to  carry  it  forward,  should  stir  the  heart  of 
the  whole  church. 


LIST  OF 


Missionary  Booklets 

Covering  the  Work  of  the 

Southern  Presbyterian  Church, 


BY  REV.  H.  F.  WILLIAMS, 


Editor  of  The  Missionary. 


1 —  Along  the  Grand  Canal  (our  Mid-China  Mission.) 

2 —  North  of  the  Yangtse  River  (our  North  Kiangsu 

Mission.) 

3 —  In  the  Hermit  Land  (our  Korea  Mission.) 

4 —  In  the  Mikado’s  Empire  (our  Japan  Mission.) 

5 —  In  Mexico  and  Cuba  (our  Near-Home  Missions.) 

6 —  In  South  America  (our  Mission  in  Brazil) 

7 —  In  the  Congo  (our  Mission  in  Africa) 

Price  5 cents  each  Postpaid. 

In  Four  Continents  (I'ext-Book  1910-11) — The  Foreign 
Mission  Work  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church. 
Cloth,  50c.  Paper,  35c. 


Published  by  the 

Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication, 

TEXARKANA,  ARK.-TEX. 


RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA. 


